Are you about to put your existing home on the market? Are you looking for a new house in the meantime? In both cases, a home inspection is of vital importance for getting a general idea about property value.
These inspections are conducted by professionals who are trained in looking for signs of structural and system damage, hence examining the condition of basements, roofs, chimneys, electrical systems, HVAC systems, and house foundation. While taking a walk around the property, a home inspector writes down all detected issues, supported with photo evidence. A comprehensive report is later delivered to the client, accompanied by an oral explanation of every problem.
In the course of a few hours, property inspectors are capable of detecting household issues homebuyers would need days to notice. In case you are interested in a home inspection, take a look at the main things inspectors include in their reports.
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Home inspection of Basements
One of the first areas that get inspected is the basement, as these rooms are infamous for being moist. Therefore, home inspectors start by examining the walls and floors for potential signs of mold and mildew, which thrive best in damp places. Also, most of these professionals use a moisture meter to calculate the exact amount of moisture in the basement.
Discovering patches of these harmful fungi, particularly black mold, is considered unfavorable for homebuyers. High levels of moisture are believed to cause a myriad of severe property problems, such as structural deterioration and pest infestation. No homebuyer dreams of being welcomed in the new house by a plethora of destructive insects.
Therefore, homeowners planning to sell their existing properties are strongly advised to invest in mold remediation and pest control services if necessary. Additionally, it’s paramount for the gutters to be kept clean in order for rainwater to travel without any obstructions away from the foundation.
House foundation
Another important aspect of home inspections is examining the foundation of houses, which largely depends on the location, soil, dampness, and climate conditions in the area. Although the foundation isn’t supposed to move throughout the years, it’s common for the foundation walls to get damaged when coming in contact with water.
Additionally, water is known to be responsible for soil expansion and shrinkage around houses, which in turn leads to the appearance of cracks. Once the foundation starts cracking, it creates a path for the water to find its way inside the house. Such structural problems are believed to affect the safety of residents if not repaired in a timely manner.
Home inspectors are particularly thorough when looking for structural issues by checking for wall cracks and gaps, floor holes, leaning stairs, and cracked chimneys. When dealing with foundation problems, homeowners are advised to either sell the house for a lower price or offer a repair loan to homebuyers.
Home inspection of Roofs
A roof inspection is another bullet point on the agenda of home inspectors, as this structure provides the required protection against weather elements. The detection of roofing problems increases the risk of other property issues in the form of leaks, mold growth, pest infestation, etc. Hence, home inspectors pay special attention to the condition of shingles and flashing.
In addition, they start the process by examining the state of roof shingles in order to estimate whether they require a complete replacement or repair. Consequently, they look for any missing, curled, cracked, or loose shingles, as well as for potential signs of algae growth. These professionals also search for rotten roofing materials underneath the bricks in order to determine the presence of attic moisture. Click here to check out the most common problem areas of a roof system.
Electrical systems
Given the tremendous importance of electrical systems in households, it’s no wonder home inspectors pay special attention to assessing the risk of electrical issues. It’s paramount for the electrical system in one’s house to match the household needs and to abide by the national electric code regulations.
After ensuring the code of your electrical system matches the existing national standards, home inspectors start searching for potential issues. These experts are on the lookout for exposed or aluminum wiring, faulty circuit breakers, no ground-fault circuit interpreter, painted electric outlets, and numerous other minor problems.
Plumbing
Another essential aspect of home inspections is plumbing, which involves a check-up of both the plumbing and septic systems of one’s house. These experts are mostly interested in checking the water pressure by using multiple appliances and taps simultaneously. They also inspect the condition of water heaters and septic tanks in order to assess the risk of potential water damage issues.
In the course of the examinations, home inspectors look for leaky or rusty pipes, clogged draining systems, jammed garbage disposal units, broken thermostats, clogged toilets, etc. In case the investigation reveals certain plumbing issues, it’s vital to have them repaired before putting your house on the real estate market.
Home inspection for Pest infestation
Pests are believed to be one of the most despised household foes of residents, making themselves welcome in houses without any permission. Many homeowners lead a desperate fight with termites, cockroaches, ants, spiders, wasps, beetles, and a myriad of other nasty insects. Consequently, home inspectors want to make sure their clients won’t be welcomed by insects roaming around the house, hiding under the floor and inside the walls.
Moreover, pest infestation signs are more challenging to detect in comparison with other household problems. Apart from looking for active pests, inspectors check for pest droppings, nests, dead insects, foul odors, and gnaw marks. Keep in mind that no homebuyer will be willing enough to overlook a pest infestation, thus requiring you to hire an immediate pest control assistance.
HVAC systems
Ultimately, the job of home inspectors is to check the condition of HVAC systems, hence examining the functionality of the heating, air conditioning, and ventilation system in one’s house. HVAC systems are known to be long-lasting but show signs of malfunction over time. The malfunction of these systems compromises air quality, which in turn triggers symptoms of asthma, respiratory problems, and certain allergies.
Furthermore, these professionals examine the overall condition of HVAC systems by looking for dirty filters, weird noises, bad smell originating from the vents, rust, as well as signs of asbestos. Make sure you take care of any signs of malfunction before selling your house, as no homebuyer would be appealed by a freezing home during winter or hot room temperature in the course of summer.
Final word
A house examination is beneficial for both homebuyers and sellers.
It reveals the real value of properties!
